Cherry Bomb and Peach hummed quietly to themselves as they worked in the kitchen. It was December, and they needed to get started on their baking. While some of the feminists of Cherry Bomb's and Tobey's time may have saw this as derogatory, she actually liked baking and it was almost Christmas so it was needed. Peach was a little bit more bubbly than usual, as she had been ever since the months passed after the events during the summer.
They had to clean up the entirety of the mansion, fixing walls, roofs, covering symbols with paints and the sort. Given the fact that fourteen or so of them were conscious, they had a lot of work to do in a small amount of time. Needless to say, they were caught with their pants down when the Hands came back at an earlier time. After explaining to them that no there wasn't a wild drunken rampage the past week to Master Hand and explaining to the less stable Crazy the story (who in fact acted like a little kid with a bed time story being told to him) they braced them selves for harsh discipline. Much to their surprise and shock, Crazy laughed and Master Hand helped them clean up. "I don't care if the Norse AND the Roman pantheons crashed this place, you took care of it. Of that I respect you." The Master Hand spoke in a fatherly voice.
"Well, at least YOU have to clean up the mess!" Crazy Hand gestured to them before laughing in such a way that caused every one to take one step back from him in unison.
Cherry Bomb laughed at the memory and smiled to herself. So, a few months passed and soon winter was upon them. Only those that fought against Loki and Lithia knew what happened. Master Hand and Crazy worked together (Surprisingly, she mused herself) to erase the past week. They took an oath of silence not to talk about the events except to each other. Cherry took Lithia's place in the roster, as she needed come serious vacation time away from the city of Seattle. Cherry did enjoy the life in the mansion about the same, if not more, then that of the concrete jungle.
The redheaded elf turned to Peach, "What's with the derek eating smile on your face?" Peach only smiled some more causing Cherry to roll her eyes. The Queen of the Rumor Mill only had that look when she heard something that was very special, or scandalous. Either way, they would find out soon enough. Turning her thoughts away from that, Cherry pulled another batch of Snow-on-the-Mountains. "So when are the guests coming and whom are we to be expecting?"
Peach put in the next batch of the cookies and took the hot chocolate cookies from Cherry Bomb to sprinkle powdered sugar on them. "Around six o'clock is the last I heard. Your boyfriend called up Gallowsglass and El Duce to come along so they will be here shortly. Zelda hasn't mentioned to me if she wants anyone from her kingdom here for this, though Ike specifically named his little sister Mist, the queen and Lucia to visit us tonight. Ulfric's bringing back Sigmund, Alyssa and Ralof along with some one called Galmar. You have to talk to the others about who exactly but we are going to be having way more then that arrive here."
Cherry Bomb nodded and noticed that the tea was ready. It was a recipe given by Solid Snake and was surprisingly good. It involved a bit of powdered ice-tea mix, a little cloves and a lot of orange flavored drink mix, Tang if she recalled correctly. She took the tea pot off the stove and grabbed a coffe mug to pour her tea in, she needed more than a drop or two which the teacups could hold onto.
There was the scampering of little feet as the five little kids, Kirby included heard the cookies come out of the oven. It was border line supernatural how they could tell if cookies or any other baked goods were ready to be eaten. The politely asked for one, Peach sighed and gave each of them on. "If I give you more, you will spoil your appetites for the dinner tonight." The nodded and thanked Peach as they each took their cookie. Cherry walked out of the kitchen and through the hallways with the cup of hot tea drink in her hands.
She made her ways to the training halls where Tobey, Ike, Zelda and Link were passing the time honing in their fighting skills. A few of the others were watching them while working on their own practices. Tobey had been practicing on his hand to hand combat, something he thought was lacking, and it was showing improvement. Be blocked a blow from Link, who countered with a powerful shield bash. He was given the option to have his old arm, or at least one made of flesh and bone, placed back on his arm. Link declined the offer, stating that he needed something to remember how to be humble and know the limitations of his abilities. He did wear synthetic skin over his arm though, to keep everyone from freaking out.
Ike and Zelda were trading blows, Zelda adapting her fighting style to include a sword when her magical abilities were failing her. Ike still used Ragnell to fight with, but was experimenting with a twin sword style using a smaller stabbing blade in his spare hand. Cherry watched the exchange of the two groups take place from the door way. It was almost as if watching a dance and not a fight. Each sides were coordinated with their strikes, while simultaneously shoring up their defenses. Each cut and parry of their blades were matched blow for blow. It would, inevitably be up to who could hold out their energy the longest.
Cherry Bomb glanced over to those who were watching. Several of the Smashers they had fought, namely Captain Falcon and Bowser, watched from a distance. But what caught her attention was Sheik and Ulfric, with the former laying her head on Ulfric's shoulder. The past few months for them had been much more passionate then before. Sheik would listen to Ulfric tell the many tales of his homeland; how he and Sigmund lead a rebellion against the Imperial Empire, and the saga of the Dragonborn. She in turn would tell of the rise and fall of her People. Cherry was never one for matchmaking but she did feel as if they were something special.
She shook her head free of such thoughts just in time to see Tobey loose his footing against Link and was sent tumbling to the round, raising his hands in a sign of yielding. Link yielded his attack and helped Tobey to his feet. Ike was defeated shortly thereafter, unintentionally leaving a gaping opening in his otherwise solid defenses. Zelda took the advantage he left her and thrusted her own sword forward against it. The blow sent Ike unto his back, with Zelda holding the tip of the blade against his throat. She stopped and sheathed the sword and helped gat Ike back unto his feet.
Tobey came over to Cherry Bomb and chuckled. "Came in just in time to see my arse get kicked." She laughed and the group exited the training room. Tobey's eyes had returned to normal, thankfully, and he still had piercing emeralds for eyes . Though he was more in check with his emotions then he was previously. He and Cherry walked through the hallways until they came across a group of two people walking in from the blizzard dressed in coats. The thick azure dreads on one instantly symbolized who they were. "Gallows! Duce!"
Gallowsglass turned and saw Tobey. "Dandelion eater!" The human said to the elf and the embraced him in a bone crushing brotherly hug. For a few seconds Tobey endured the hug, before he slapped the shoulder for him to stop after he lost the ability to breath. El Duce balled his hand into a fist and locked Tobey in a neck hold while he rubbed the knuckles in his comrades' head.
Tobey broke free and slugged El Duce on the shoulder. "Holy hell man!" The Hispanic proclaimed, gesturing to the building around them. "When you told us about where you lived now, your words placed it best. It looks like a place we should be robbing and not somewhere I should be shacked up in." Gallowsglass laughs so hard his knees almost buckled and Tobey just rolled his eyes, muttering something about how his fellow runners couldn't appreciate the finer things in life.
Tobey took them away and shoed them around the place , after threatening serious harm if anything was missing. Cherry went with them, leaving Ike and Zelda off at the main entrance. Zelda turned to Ike, "Six months, hard to believe it was that long ago."
Ike nodded solemnly and sat down on the main star case and looked off into the distance. It was hard to believe. Word was they had taken Lithia away and imprisoned her beneath Asgard with chains thicker then a giant's wrist. She was tried and sentenced yet the deed of her execution was not carried out. He shook his head and ran his fingers through his thick azure hair. "Yes Zelda, it has been." She sat down next to him and he cupped his hand under her heart shaped face. "But he most important thing is that I have you as you are."
She smiled softly at his kind words and heard a voice above them clear his throat. The two looked up and saw Pit above them with a mistletoe in his hands. Ike rolled his eyes at the hopeless romantic before he felt Zelda fly at him, crashing her lips on his. Ike lost the ability to breath for a moment but surrendered to the kiss.
It lasted only for a moment, before a familiar voice to Ike's ear filled his hearing. "Well, it looks as if my older brother has been keeping himself busy." He broke the kiss with Zelda and laughed. His little, though not by much, sister Mist tackled him on the steps. He returned the embrace of his younger sister. Lucia and Elincia was not far behind her, shaking of the dry snow from their winter jackets.
"Elincia, it is good to see you again." Ike smiled whole heartedly and gave a deep bow, in which Elincia returned with a curtsy. "And Lucia." Ike was about to do the same but Lucia stopped him with an embrace. Caught off guard, Ike returned the hug before braking it. "I have to thank you coming coming all the way from Crimea to visit me. The weather has been most brutal these past few months."
Elincia chuckled like a schoolgirl, "Ike, even out of Crimea you still are as humble as ever. Your victories have reached even the noble feasting tables. I hope the Master Hand will allow you to visit the lands of Tullius to show your fighting skills amongst your competitors." Elincia looked to Zelda and turned three different shades of embarrassments. "Goddess, where are my manners. I am Elincia, Queen of Crimea and this is my Minister of Internal Affairs Lucia. "
Zelda smiled and bowed deeply. "I am Princess Zelda, Leader of Hyrule. Ike has spoken very highly of you, Queen Elincia."
"As he has of you." Lucia responded with a smile. "But please, no titles. We are far from our home land and our titles mean close to nothing. Here, we are suppose to and wish to be treated as equals." They began to walk away to the main halls where the festivel was to take place and it was alive with activity. The Ice Climbers were busy crafting ice sculptures in the shapes of doves, swans, and even a polar bear with a cub occasionally. Cherry Bomb and Peach were in the center of the hall, preparing the snacks and other goodies that would be nibbled upon. Ulfric was sharing a mead with his guests, which consisted of Galmar Stone-Fist, Sigmund, and a very pregnant Alyssa, who was the only one abstaining from the mead.
Lucas and Tobey was setting up the last of the lights around the walls, though with the latter supporting the former on his shoulders. Sheik was getting the last of the tree ornaments out and setting them up so she and Ulfric could decorate the tree together. Others were talking amongst one each other rather then helping. Ike and noticed that Peach had ushered Ulfric away from the mead and directed him towards the secondary room where the Christmas tree was. She had a playful smile on her lips and Ike knew only one thing. Something big was going to happen.
"In all my years of life, I never had even suspected of a holiday when a tradition was to decorate a tree." Ulfric mused out loud and passed sheik another round ornament covered in red and gold. Sheik giggled and leaned down to receive the ornament and placed it on the tree. She gave hi an inquireing look, and he explained. "In Skyrim, it is traditional that the remains of the dead plants for harvest are burned to mark the coming of Greatfather Winter. Merry making happens when the Longest Night has passed and the light returns to our home."
Sheik chuckled beneath her cowl. "Same in Hyrule, though we decorate trees to honor the spirits of nature that came and went during the trials of the year." She still wore her traditional garb, but was dressed in red and green in the stead of cream colored. She looked back to Ulfric, who passed her yet another decoration, this time a candy cane. She stopped and looked at the tree, feeling as if something was out of place. "Throne of Earth." She muttered to herself. "I know there is an orniment that is suppose to go right there. It's my personal favorite too."
She got down off of the tree and looked around for Ulfric, but didn't see him. She shrugged her shoulders and looked down into the box. Spying her favorite ornament. It was a icicle with thousands of tiny gem shards. She picked it up and noticed that there was a piece of paper tied around it. She unraveled it, "Finish the tree and meet me at the balcony area." It was in Ulfric's hand writing, of that she was certain. She placed the icicle on the tree and began to make her way twords the balcony. Anxciety was bubbling up inside of her.
Tobey finished his third dance with Cherry Bomb, the music winding down to a halt. He felt as if he was in an old time spy novel with his three piece suit and shoulder holster, and the dry martini he was now reaching for only reinforced it. Cherry reached for her own drink, a Mai if he recalled correctly. The two sat back and observed the scene unfolding before them.
Solid Snake, the man who could slit a throat as so much as look at you, was on one knee begging for a dance with Samus. The latter seemed to be playfully teasing him to get him to grovel. Elincia was enjoying a conversation with Marth, Link and Peach while Lucia was blushing like a tomato with Pit. Ike and Zelda were dancing the next song already, their bodies pressed hard against each other. The children were passing time playing card games with a partially drunk Captian Falcon. The former racer had actually been ontroling his consumption, surprising every one. Well, Tobey muttered to himself and downed the last of his martini, it was called the season of miracles for a reason.
Cherry turned to him and wrapped one of her arms around Tobey's waist, sighing contently. "You were right. This place is better then Seattle at points, but I still miss working at the Union." She subconsciously ran the fingers of her spare hand through her thick cherry red hair. "And I want you to see what I got you for your Christmas present. I think you will enjoy it."
As if almost on cue, the two hands, Master and Crazy came in, each of them wearing some form of festive garb. "Well, here we are. Another holiday to celebrate the midterm of our season together. After all today is the seasons of miracles and traditions. Well, I originally had a large speech prepared for this event, but now, I don't think it would be worth it. I'll give each of you a moment to reflect on the year past." The Master Hand spoke in a humbling tone, almost surreal to the power and authority it usually held.
Ike looked to Zelda, who laid her head against his chest. In both of their eyes, the moments of the year passed by. Their confession for each of their love, the first kiss, and the dark memories came back to them in an instant. Ike placed his hand under her heart shaped face and raised her face to meet his. He smiled gently to her and leaned in to let his feelings be known for her. Zelda responded with anticipation , melting into the kiss.
Other Smashers did the same to their significant other, while others sat back in silent recollection of the year. Joys, sorrows, accomplishments and regrets all played through their minds, but in the end of the silence, all thought the same. Despite the downs, they wouldn't change anything from the year, it was what made them who they are. Coming out of the recollection the hands started to sing, surprisingly, a traditional Christmas hymn. Tobey joined in almost immediately, as did Zelda, Peach and Link. Others joined in later on once they remembered the lyrics, while others listened in silence.
Oh, come, oh, come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
and teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, oh, come, our Lord of might,
Who to your tribes on Sinai's height
In ancient times gave holy law,
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come O Rod of Jesse's stem,
From ev'ry foe deliver them
That trust your mighty pow'r to save;
Bring them in vict'ry through the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, O Key of David, come,
And open wide our heav'nly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
Oh, come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Oh, bid our sad divisions cease,
And be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
The hymn sung, Crazy hand shook off the festive garb and laughed manically. "Well, it's Christmas Eve. Go and open those gifts!" With a flick of his severed wrist, Craz opened the walls to reveal the massive tree. Twenty feet tall, alight with ornaments, ethereal candles and other decorations. The little kids rushed into the presents under the tree and the adults followed slowly behind them. They would share their tidings with each other and the party was just getting started.
Though Zelda couldn't help but wonder. Where were Sheik and Ulfric?
Sheik ran through the mansion, following the instructions on the letter. She reached a secluded part of the mansion and saw the glass doors leading out to one of the many balconies of Mansion. She saw Ulfric wearing his traditional fur armor and with a fine layer of snow powder on his armor, signifying that he was waiting for a while. She closed the door behind her and Ulfric turned to her. "I got your message." She looked up into the partially clouded skies and with the full moon glowing down on them. "How romantic of you."
She took off her cowl and Ulfric smiled at the beautiful blond angel before him. "You… look so beautiful." She smiled and came closer to him. "Do you know what happened almost six months ago?"
Sheik nodded. It was when the truly found their feelings for each other. "I do you old hard head." Ulfric chuckled and looked back to the moon on the cold and clear night. "The final battle, not the most romantic of circumstances, but I understand what you mean."
Ulfric moved closer to her, until they were each one foot apart from each other. "Six months ago, you saved my life. Sheik, six months ago, if the woman I am looking at now was going to be my queen and wife, I would have laughed it off. But now, looking at you, seeing how beautiful and powerful you are… I will no longer laugh."
Sheik giggled like an insane schoolgirl. "You tease… what do you mean when you say that?"
"More like ask."
Ulfric stooped down on one knee and Sheik felt the air escape her lungs. This couldn't be happening. But yet I was as real as the cold wind blowing on her face. "Sheik, with the Gods as my witness, will you stand by my side as my wife?" He closed his eyes, hoping he had said those words right.
Sheik tried to formulate the words to speak, but yet no words came, only a squeak in delight and a nod. Ulfric released the breath he had been holding in. He slid on an emerald and topaz ring. He rose from his feet and looked into Sheik's eyes. "I wanted you all to myself and now I can."
Sheik pushed him gently, a smile on her lips. "You always had me." The two then melted into a kiss, the cold weather around them disappearing as they shared their feelings for each other .
Lithia prostrated herself to allow the weight of the chains to lessen their burden. She snarled to herself as she knew the world beneath her was celebrating a new year. She had the world in her grasps and she let go of it at the last moment. She was a fool, but next time there would be no mistakes.
She snarled with bloodstained teeth, she would have her vengeance
Well, here we are. At the end of another story. I hope each of you who read this enjoyed it. Tell me what you think in the reviews.
Now the cliffhanger will be resolved later in another story, but I have several stories planned before them. (You will see me back in the Super Smash Bros./Warhammer crossover section on a new story). I just want to say thanks for all of the help you have given me and all of the reads.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or just Happy Holidays.
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